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Re: Since the Fall of the Soviet Union

The world has always been a dangerous place. It was dangerous before this country began, and it will be so long after this country has ended. In the end, all things must die that others be granted a chance to live.

"Half full or half empty doesn't matter. What matters is, you've only got half a glass...so what are you going to do about it?" - Me www.kohlerimaging.com

Re: Since the Fall of the Soviet Union

Here's a question: do you think that the world is a more dangerous place since the fall of the Soviet Union?

The world is and has always been a dangerous place.

The threat just changes from time to time.

Now, the danger has shifted for two reasons: 1) because of the fall of dictators that kept their people under control, who's people are now out of control and under the growing influence of radicalism - radical Islam, is the most visible example, and; 2) the increase in power and advancements in technological capability of the regimes that have survived, like Iran, North Korea, and China, as well as the rise to power of despots such as Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. This is all, however, related to the fall of the Soviet Union because the Soviets used to support and protect the majority of the dictatorships that have fallen over the last 30+ years, and the power vacuum left by the fall of the Soviet Union has allowed numerous other nations to take their share of that power and attempt to wield it to gain even more power - which will eventually lead to a major conflict.

Like I said in another thread, yesterday, history is beginning to repeat itself with what Russia and China are doing. Russia following a similar path of the 1930's NSDAP and China following a similar path of the 1930's Empire of Japan. We all know where that eventually lead the world.

So, in a way, yes. But not directly so. More indirectly as a tertiary consequence rather than a direct cause.

Everything in your life is a reflection of a choice you have made. If you want a different result, don't blame someone else, or expect others to make a change, you should stop complaining and make a different choice. Remember, the circumstances of your birth don't determine the outcome of your life.

Re: Since the Fall of the Soviet Union

It is a bit hard to compare.

1) There is far more media coverage now than there ever has been. It is also faster (almost instant).
2) The Internet.

These two have a massive impact on perception. There was a recent study done by PEW and others, about perceptions. On Muslims, most people though that there were 3-4x (and even more) Muslims in their country, than there actually are.

When it comes to how dangerous the world is, it comes again down to perception rather than reality. Take terrorist attacks in Europe. Many would say that it is the worst it has ever been. It aint, not even close. The 1970s-80s were FAR worse when it comes to terror or mass attacks. So again perception does not match reality and facts.

The only thing you can say with certainty, is that the world has become far more complicated since the fall of the Soviet Union. Back then the west had one enemy and were united. Now we have multiple enemies depending on the country and we are no way as united as we once were. The standing of the US in the world has gone down dramatically the last 16 years. Before the fall of the wall, countries like Germany and others, would rarely or ever question US policy. That has changed, and it makes everything far more complicated.

Re: Since the Fall of the Soviet Union

There was a recent study done by PEW and others, about perceptions. On Muslims, most people though that there were 3-4x (and even more) Muslims in their country, than there actually are.

Actually it is a recurring study from Ipso-Mori titled "perils of perception".

And when the results are very suspicious, it is probably a problem with their methodology. But we will never know since we cannot get individual answers.

My suspicion is that people in large conurbations and poor areas are over-represented, and the weighting on regions and income cannot completely eliminate this. Because when a third of people in your school in Muslims, you naturally conclude that a third of your country is Muslim, even though there are none among retirees and in the countryside.

Originally Posted by Sherman123

No. Like, a million times no. Anyone who thinks Islamism resembles a graver threat than the Soviet Union needs to be kept as far away from the levers of foreign policy as possible.

Of course terrorism itself is not dangerous. Well, as long as they do not put their hands on Pakistani and Iranian nuclear weapons, as Talibans almost did a few years ago

The true danger is our lax immigration policies. We are turning our large cities into Muslim areas and this will turn Western Europe into a new Nigeria or Lebanon. In 1900 we were the prosperous leaders of the world, heirs of a bimillennial history, in 2100 we will be random melting pots, slums where Muslims and non-Muslims hate each other, slaughter each other, cannot conduct our countries together, where distrust, lawlessness and corruption are the norms.

Our narcissistic pro-minority individualism, our idealization of tolerance and our hatred for our own domination have made us irresponsible. We will be the imbecile generations that wasted everything.

Re: Since the Fall of the Soviet Union

Originally Posted by jet57

Here's a question: do you think that the world is a more dangerous place since the fall of the Soviet Union?

I would think not. The Soviet Union was a major threat to the U.S., at least until the 80's. And when the Soviets collapsed, I think it was a death knell for any meaningful Communism as well, which is a good thing for world peace since Mao, Lenin, and Stalin killed many millions of their own people.

Thanks for your replies they are quite interesting. Before we continue, I had a point in the question that I thought one of might hit on, and Sherman came very close:

As far as the danger after the collapse, I’m thinking of the release of pirates and rouge entities. The effects for instance of the Russian mafia, arms dealers and thieves, the possibility of transfer of material for dirty bombs, Russian mercenaries etc. Do you think that Putin has handle on all of these things, or are there some that have let loose? Iraqi generals created the ISIS machine. Are there Russians creating the same types of clandestine machines?

“The people do no want virtue; but they are the dupes of pretended patriots” : Elbridge Gerry of Mass; Constitutional Convention 1787

As far as the danger after the collapse, I’m thinking of the release of pirates and rouge entities. The effects for instance of the Russian mafia, arms dealers and thieves, the possibility of transfer of material for dirty bombs, Russian mercenaries etc. Do you think that Putin has handle on all of these things, or are there some that have let loose? Iraqi generals created the ISIS machine. Are there Russians creating the same types of clandestine machines?

“The people do no want virtue; but they are the dupes of pretended patriots” : Elbridge Gerry of Mass; Constitutional Convention 1787